Break Thou the Bread of Life

Hallelujah

Thank you so very much for sharing this story of her life. It was a gift to me just now in the night, as I also am an artist who has found that our Lord does indeed speak his truth into our hearts day by day as we come apart to listen for Him.

The Chautauqua Movement was an important religious moment during the late 19C and early 20C. Its headquarters are located in Jamestown, New York, one of the most picturesque places in the world. The aim of this movement was to give religious and cultural education to its American people. The movement provided lectures and concerts throughout the country.

Mary Artemisia Lathbury was born into a prominent Methodist family in Manchester, New York, on August 10, 1841; her father and two brothers were ordained ministers. She became a professional artist and taught art in the schools of Vermont and New York. She became more involved in Christian work and in writing. She served as an editor of the Methodist Sunday School materials. Mary tells of an experience she had that prompted her to go into full-time Christian service. One day God seemed to say to her, “Remember my child, that you have to gift of weaving fancies into verse and a gift with the pencil of producing visions that come to your heart; consecrate these to Me as thoroughly as you do your inmost spirit. ”

Along with Methodist Bishop John H. Vincent, Miss Lathbury is credited with being one of the founders of the Chautauqua Movement. She became affectionately known as the “Poet Laureate and Saint of Chautauqua. ” A well known hymn she wrote titled “Day is Dying in the West” came about during the summer meeting of 1877. The leaders felt the need for an eventide hymn of their own. Miss Lathbury was asked by Dr. Vincent to write such a hymn. One afternoon as she was watching the sunset on the lake with all its magnificent colors she was inspired to write the words which became this well loved hymn. The last two stanzas were added two years later at the suggestion of a friend for a more complete text. The tune was supplied in the summer of 1877 by Professor William Fisk Sherwin, the music director of Chautauqua who was skillful in congregational leading which produced beautiful sounds from large and enthusiastic audiences.

“Day is Dying in the West” has been used as a Vesper Hymn for all evening services at Chautauqua ever since it was first written.

Thou art the Bread of Life,
O Lord, to me,
Thy holy Word the truth
That saveth me;
Give me to eat and live
With Thee above;
Teach me to love Thy truth,
For Thou art Love.

Beyond the sacred page I seek Thee, Lord!

I love this song with the new tune. My wife, daughter and I visited Israel for the first time in 2017. This song brings to my mind the picturesque Sea of Galilee with the mountains and the beautiful miracles the Lord did there.